Picture-hanger.



PATBNTED APR. 21, 1908.

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Qttovnlqi H. N. PATRICK.

PICTURE HANGER.

APPLICATION FILED APR 19, 1907 rm: NORRIS PETERS 50.. wlsnmamlv, n.-|:.

No.885',l.72.- PATENTED APR. 21, 1908.

H. N. PATRICK.

PICTURE HANGER. APPLIGATIOII FILED APR.19, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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HOMER NATHANIEL PATRICK, OF SHEFFIELD, ALABAMA.

PICTURE-HANGER.

Speeification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 21, 1908.

Application filed April 19, 1907. Serial No. 369,108.

To all whom it may concern:

Y citizen of the United States, residing at Sheffield, in the county of Colbert and State of Alabama, have invented" certain new and useful Improvements in Picture-Hangers, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention is a picture-hanger, and has for its object to provlde an improved device of this kind comprising a spring-drum on which the icture-cord or wire is wound, and means for olding the parts at adjustment. There is also provided a movable cord-guide which is freeto move with the cord to prevent wear thereof.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a rear elevation showing the a plication of the invention. Fig. 2 is an on view. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device removed from the picture-frame. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an edge view. Fig. 6 is a detail of the cord-holder hereinafter referred to.

Referrirn specifically to the drawings, 10 denotes a drum on which the picture-cord or wire 11 is wound. The drum-barrel is hollow and contains a spring 12 for winding up the cord. The axle 13 on which the drum turns is mounted in a base 14 havin laterally projecting arms 15 rovided wit holes 16 to receive screws 17 whereby the device is fastened to the back of a picture-frame 18 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The arms 15 project beyond the heads of the drum, and the screw-holes are made in the projecting ends in order that they may be conveniently reached. To revent turning of the axle, that portion '0 it which seats in the base is flattened on opposite sides, and the hole in the base receiving said flattened portionis shaped accordingly. The axle eXtends throu h the base and outside the same is threa ed to receive a fastening nut 19. If desired the'axle may be formed integral with the base.

The base is formed with a rojecting arm 20 to which is ivoted a dog w ich engages a ratchet 21 on the periphery of the rear drumhead. The. dog comprises ahead 22 which is pivoted to the arm 20 as indicated at 23, and has an offset portion 24 rovided with an opening 25 through which the arm 20 passes. On one side of. the pivot the dog has an operating lever 26, and on the other side is a nose 27 which engages the ratchet. The

weight of the lever normally holds the dog in engagement with the ratchet.

At a oint substantially diametrically opposite the arm 20, the base has a lug 28 to which anarm 29 carrying a cord-guide is pivoted. In front of the lug, the base has a semi-circular projection 30 over which the arm swings and which braces it. The cord is guided by passing it through an openin 31 formed in a lateral bend 32 at the free en of the arm 29, said opening being located above the barrel of the drum. On one side of the bend is a rojecting hooked finger 33 for a purpose to e hereinafter described.

Adjacent the axle 13, the base has a raised surface 34 which is in contact with the rear drum-head to steady it and also to space from it the arms15, 20 and 29.

In use, the drum will be fastened to the back of the picture-frame on one side thereof in the manner already described. The free end of the cord or wire is fastened to the opposite side of the icture-frame as indicated at 35 in Fig. 1. T e picture is hung by passing the cord over a molding-hook 36. The cord is held wound on the drum by its spring, and the drum is held by the dog in the direction to unwind. To lower the picture, the dog is released whereupon the cord can be unwound. After the desired adjustment is had the dog is engaged with the ratchet which holds the parts at adjustment. picture it is only necessary to lift it, whereupon the c-ord is automatically wound on the drum, the dog slipping over the ratchet-teeth and permitting the drum to turn. Upon releasing the picture the dog automatically swings back into engagement with the ratchet and holds the parts at adjustment. The cord-guide swings with the cord and thus prevents wear thereof. Upon taking down the picture for any purpose the cord will be placed under the finger33 as shown in Fig. 5 which clamps it to the guide and prevents it from being wound or unwound. The picture can then be at once replaced to its origi-' nal position without the trouble of again adjusting it. The finger is also useful for holding the cord after the desired adjustment is made.

1 I claim 1. A picture-hanger comprisin a base, a spring-actuated drum mounted t ereon and having a ratchet, a pivoted dog on the base engageable with the ratchet, and a cord- To raise the spring actuated drum thereon having a in presence of two witnesses.

guide pivoted to the base to swing With the cord, the pivot of the cord-guide being parallel to the axis of the drum.

2. A picture-hanger comprising a base, a

with an opening through which the arm 10 passes, and an operating lever projecting from the head on one side of its pivot.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature,

ratchet, an arm projecting from the base, HOMER NATHANIEL PATRICK.

and a pawl engageable with the ratchet, said Witnesses: pawl comprising a head which is pivoted to B. S. LOUQH, the arm and has an ofiset portion provided H. C. MAYEs. 

